Reasons for Reasons
I was ‘raised’ – to use a phrase from our American friends – in south Lakeland and it has always remained home. Even though I left to study when I was 18 and didn’t return untill September 2010. A lot of years.
During those interim years I have had a great life, travelled and met some wonderful people and also have a managed to bring up my son fairly successfully. So, it although it was sort of ‘on the plan’, my move back North was not without trepidation.
As part of my ‘self affirmation’ that I had made the right decision I started a Facebook album ‘Reasons To Move North’. This has had wonderful comments from my friends but I never had the courage to make it public. Then recently I went on a Travel Writing Course with Zoe ,and much to my delight and surprise received more affirmation from positive comments on my travel writing. Something else which has always remained strictly within closed leaves.
A mindful review of my first year here followed and I realised that I had had an amazing twelve months. Yes, I have travelled away, but I have also done more here in the North West than I would have previously thought possible. And I have had so many visitors! People like it here! I have become a guide for friends and acquaintances who then spread the word about how wonderful the Lake District is. This led to my providing itineraries for weekends or longer visits. Some I accompanied, others I simply provided a ‘bespoke’ itinerary, with or with accommodation booked.
So, now it’s time to go Global!
And now I have built my own blog I have used my technical, from a previous life in IT, to build one for the Howgill Harriers. If you would like one put together then please contact me for a quote.
Mount St Helens
Mount St Helens blasted a hole in its side in 1980 Those of you old enough to remember it, yes, it was that long ago, One of those things that has you searching back in your memory, wondering , what you were doing then? My chance meeting with a couple whom I met down a cave in Vietnam last year, had already helped me part way up Mt Hood. Then they were kind enough to then take us over the Oregon border for a day trip to Mount St Helens. The grey mountain looms ahead for several miles drive through what is now a designated and protected...
read morePictures from Portland
I’l write the postcards later, but for now, some pictures of things I have seen out and about in this somewhat unique city with its lovely houses Many forms of art Foodcarts from every continent Restaurants of every description and style Beer, and more beer Bikes, which have priority Buildings new and very old And other quaint and quirky stuff
read moreThe Bits Between
Oregon Coast, Crater Lake, Three Sisters Wilderness and Mount Hood. Four wonderful places to visit and hike but a fair bit of travelling between with unexpected, unplanned surprises between as we discovered Oregon’s Scenic Byways. From Portland we headed to the Willamette valley. Lunched, sipped, swirled and sampled wines made by French viticulturists moved west. Oregon’s Pacific coast changes from rocks to dunes. Watched whales basking in sheltered waters round Depoe Bay. South of Florence rocks worn down to sand. Meandering rivers merge...
read moreMount Hood
Just another ‘awesome’ day in Oregon! When my Oregonian friend (what the lucky locals call themselves) sent me a few map choices one totally shouted out. A trail next to a glacier was not something I’d get to do at home in Cumbria! Mount Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon. At over 11,000ft there was no chance of making the top but so far, 8500ft was eminently possible. Especially I have to admit, when we drove to 6500ft. Forest fires are something I always think of as a ‘big deal’ but they happen far more than I’d imagined. On the way...
read moreObsidian Trail
Inspired by ‘Wild’, I’ve had the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) high on my list of walks for ages. An item on my bucket list. Being that it runs 2659miles almost from Mexico to Canada, I’m not sure I’ll ever get to do it all, BUT now I’ve set both feet on it. Hiked all of 1.7miles, in Oregon. One of the most beautiful parts in the Three Sisters Wilderness area. Three Sisters are a high mountain range in the Cascade range, Oregon. At 10,000 feet with glaciers still dripping through climate change, looking at them from the trail was as...
read moreCrater Lake National Park
Crater Lake sits like an egg cup of blue ink. Not a crater at all. A caldera Created when Mount Mazama dropped in to a hollow interior. Vacated by a blast of hot ash around 7,700 years ago. With the rim still over 2000m a lot of mountain remains and a lot of park to explore. There’s a short summer season when it’s all open to hike. Even in early August snow patches loitered in shady coves. Many just drive to the visitors’ centres or drive the 33 miles perimeter for ‘selfies’ on the ‘must see’ views. So there’s plenty of opportunity to...
read moreWineries and Whales
Whales and Wineries The Oregon coast and in a bit. Mountains sprung to mind when I thought of Oregon. Cheryl Strayed battled with them on the Pacific Crest trail. Part of my inspiration to come here. Sun soaked grape vines were not on my immediate agenda. But suggesting to my friend from New York I was planning a visit it was high on her’s. So far from mountains my first couple of days in Oregon were spent in valleys and soft rolling hills draped with monoculture vines. And of course it had to be sampled. Valleys filter seaward. Initially...
read moreWeekday Wander
Another midweek walk. The long summer evenings are to be taken advantage of. Somewhere new. South for a walk? I was in for a pleasant surprise. One stop down the motorway, J34 and a left away from Lancaster to the edge of the Forest of Bowland and up Clougha Pike More of a wander than a walk. We didn’t take a map, we didn’t have an ‘app’. If the mist had come down could have been a bit of a disaster. An embarrassing call to the Mountain Rescue the ultimate irony. As it was the sun came out, as did the cameras. A bit of a bog to begin. A hike...
read moreFewston Reservoir
The plan. a quiet stroll ‘around’ the reservoir. In actuality we spent more time in it, or were we ‘on it’? I’ll leave that one with you. A single channel Cracked earth Green returning Eventually we found the water With the odd goose or three This unusual easy walk began from a car park at Blubberhouses SE168 553
read moreCumbria’s Heat Wave
Cumbria’s Heat Wave! For one day The temperature soared above 30C. Those lovely lakes filled by what can feel like incessant rain have more purpose. And yes, I know they are mainly ‘waters’ and ‘tarns’ As well as the main 16, Windermere and co, scattered on the fells and hidden in woods are tiny tarns and abandoned reservoirs from days before mass movement of water. Tucked away above the southern end of Windermere, sits the pretty village of Finsthwaite with its fascinating church. Designed as a church ‘suitable for an alpine area’. A short...
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